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d'ohNow Playing: gordon smith heading the broadcasters organization spells trouble
Topic: MEDIA
Gordon Smith to head broadcasters' organization
by The Associated Press Friday September 18, 2009, 9:47 AM
Gordon SmithFormer U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith has been named the new president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters.
The broadcast trade organization announced Friday that Smith will start November 1. The group, which was founded in 1922, represents more than 8,300 radio and television stations nationwide.
The 57-year-old Republican represented Oregon for two terms in the Senate. He lost a bid for a third term to Democrat Jeff Merkley in November.
Smith returned to Washington after his defeat to work for Covington & Burling, a leading law firm.
Although Smith has no broadcasting experience, the trade group said his experience as "a lawyer, a statesman, and as an entrepreneur -- coupled with his extensive knowledge of broadcast issues from having served many years on the Commerce Committee" made him the perfect fit for the job.
Since May, Janet McGregor has been acting CEO of the organization, taking over for David Rehr, who served about three years.
-- Staff and wire reports
